The Infection Prevention Specialist II will be assigned to the Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Control (HEIC) in the regional office in New York City to perform a broad range of epidemiological and surveillance activities necessary to identify and control healthcare-associated infections, including COVID-19, in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. The incumbent, in collaboration with Public Health Physicians and other senior staff, will provide epidemiology and infection control expertise and technical guidance in the reporting, investigation, diagnosis, prevention, and control of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) to healthcare professionals, including infection control staff, physicians, nurses, and other state and local health department representatives. The incumbent will play a key role in department activities related to COVID-19 surveillance and response, including monitoring overall infection control capability in, and providing enhanced guidance to, healthcare facilities and congregate living settings; providing technical guidance related to the statewide emergency regulations combat COVID-19; developing and implementing HAI quality improvement and performance management activities; developing internal and external guidance, and serving as a key liaison and point of contact with internal and external stakeholders to coordinate efforts to manage, investigate, control, and evaluate outbreaks and other reportable HAIs. The incumbent may be required to supervise other staff members.
Employee Benefits:
Health Research, Inc. (HRI) offers a robust, comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, including:
Health, dental and vision insurance - Several comprehensive health insurance plans to choose from;
Flexible benefit accounts - Medical, dependent care, adoption assistance, parking and transit;
Generous paid time off - Paid federal and state holidays, paid sick, vacation and personal leave;
Tuition support - Assistance is available for individuals pursuing educational or training opportunities;
Retirement Benefits - HRI is a participating employer in the New York State and Local Retirement System and offers optional enrollment in the New York State Deferred Compensation Plan. HRI provides a postretirement Health Benefits Plan for qualified retirees to use towards health insurance premiums and eligible medical expenses;
Employee Assistance Program - Provides educational and wellness programs, training, and 24/7 confidential services to assist employees, both personally and professionally;
And so much more!
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Nursing, Biostatistics, Biology, Epidemiology or a related field and five years of experience in healthcare epidemiology and/or infection control, and/or healthcare associated infection surveillance and/or communicable disease epidemiology, OR a Master's degree in a related field and four years of such experience, OR a Doctoral degree in a related field and two years of such experience.
This position requires that the incumbent will report to the official work location and live within commuting distance to the official work location. Telecommuting may not be available. If telecommuting is available, the incumbent will be required to have a telephone/mobile device, and internet access.
Health Research, Inc.’s (HRI) mission is building a healthier future for New York State and beyond through the delivery of funding and program support to further public health and research programs. In support of our mission and our commitment to providing a safe workplace, we require employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless approved for a religious or medical exemption.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree in public health or nursing. At least three years of work experience in healthcare-associated infection surveillance and/or as a healthcare facility infection preventionist. Experience with infection control in nursing homes, conducting research or quality improvement projects to reduce healthcare-associated infections, providing technical assistance and training to healthcare providers, and presenting to professional/scientific audiences; current certification in infection control (CIC), strong organizational and analytic skills; and excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to adapt them to various audiences and settings. Experience interpreting data and/or conducting data analysis using epidemiological principles and methodologies. Experience in utilizing health-related data sets or disease registries and working with confidential data. Experience using the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). Experience with information technology and systems used for electronic public health reporting. Supervisory experience.
Conditions of Employment:
Grant funded position. Compliance with funding requirements such as time and effort reporting, grant deliverables, and contract deliverables, is required.
This position requires that the incumbent will report to the official work location and live within commuting distance to the official work location. Telecommuting may not be available. If telecommuting is available, the incumbent will be required to have a telephone/mobile device, and internet access.
Health Research, Inc.’s (HRI) mission is building a healthier future for New York State and beyond through the delivery of funding and program support to further public health and research programs. In support of our mission and our commitment to providing a safe workplace, we require employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless approved for a religious or medical exemption.
Valid and unrestricted authorization to work in the U.S. is required. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
HRI participates in the E-Verify Program.
HRI has a long-standing dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workforce. HRI is committed to the principle of non-discrimination in all phases of its employment procedures and practices.
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer/Qualified Individuals with Disabilities/Qualified Protected Veterans
Health Research, Inc. (HRI) contributes to the health and well-being of the people of New York State by complementing and enabling the strategic public health goals of the New York State Department of Health (DOH), Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corporation (RPCIC), and other health-related entities.
HRI provides best-in-class resource administration for stakeholders and programs related to the work and priorities of the Department of Health and its other partners. HRI does this through the provision of knowledge, expertise, funding guidance, and fiduciary oversight of sponsored program funding for public health and research programs in concert with community partnerships.
